Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698928305086.pdf (Namibia)
- 34 – Wednesday, 9 March 2022 No.

12 – 2022 FIFTH SESSION, SEVENTH PARLIAMENT REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WEDNESDAY, 9 MARCH 2022 The Assembly met pursuant to the adjournment.

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The Deputy Speaker took the Chair and read the Prayer and Affirmation.

FIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH NOTICES OF MOTIONS deferred by Dr. Aupindi to Wednesday, 16 March 2022, on behalf of the Minister of Justice.

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FIFTH NOTICE OF A MOTION: Mr. Venaani moved, seconded by Mr. Mukwilongo: That this Assembly discuss the following – The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as "access to key promotive, preventative and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost, thereby achieving equity in access."
This was also endorsed as part of the World Health Assembly Resolution 58.33 (2005) that urges member states to "ensure that health financing systems include pre-payment methods with views to sharing risk among populations and avoiding catastrophic health care expenditure."

In Namibia, only about 18 percent of the population has regular access to private health services.

The rest of Namibia’s population (82 percent) is dependent on a public health system.
This House should therefore discuss the importance of having a universal health coverage, the affordability to implement it and concrete steps Namibia can take in achieving it.

That this Motion be referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for further investigation and report back to this Assembly.

On the motion of Ms. Dienda, on behalf of Ms. Moongo, seconded by Mr. Vries, debate adjourned until Wednesday, 16 March 2022.

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SIXTH NOTICE OF A MOTION: The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, seconded by Mr. Kauandenge: Namibia is one of the few countries in Africa that pays out social grants to various categories and I would like to commend the GRN in this regard.

My focus is more on Namibia’s old age social pension, but during my motivation of the motion, I might touch on other social grants as well such as the foster care grant etc.
This old age pension or social grant guarantees all Namibians over 60 years of age (Men and women) a monthly unconditional allowance of 1 300 Namibian dollars (N$) per month.

The universal social pension combined with social services can be an effective instrument to lift older people out of extreme poverty, to strengthen their dignity and to stimulate local economies.
The provision of regular and adequate pension benefit not only the older persons, but also benefit other members of the extended family, especially grandchildren.

Importantly, these pensions addressed the plight of the poor older persons giving them a sense of dignity and full sense of citizenship.

Hon Speaker, it is unfortunate that there are reports or incidents of pensioner abuse by family members and in most cases own children.

Pensioners are being threatened and abused over their grants.
In some instances some are even assaulted physically, and or threatened with death if they don't hand over their monthly payouts to younger relatives whom they are taking care of.

There are also cases where the older persons themselves abuse the money and spend it on alcohol instead of buying food.

Given that, that this Assembly – Discusses the plight of older persons in relation to the abuse they endure regarding their old age pensions.
Equally discusses possible ways to help older persons spend their pension/social grant wisely instead of spending it on alcohol.

That this Motion be referred to a relevant Parliamentary Standing Committee for further analysis and report back to this House.

On the motion of the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, seconded by the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs., debate adjourned until Thursday, 10 March 2022.

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In terms of Rule 99(a) of the Standing Rules and Orders, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the Assembly at 17:45 until Thursday, 10 March 2022.

MS. L. KANDETU Secretary of the National Assembly Compiled by I. Nehoya